Sous Chef - San Diego Zoo Safari Park
About The Position
The Sous Chef is responsible for the day-to-day kitchen operations, people management, and banquet culinary execution at assigned location. This position reports to the Chef/Executive Chef. The Sous Chef will partner with the Chef/Executive Chef on oversight of kitchen staff, including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training and development, mentoring, and performance management. They will also partner on preparing and executing special events, banquets, and themed menus, and participate in administrative functions such as scheduling and payroll. Collaboration with Front of the House/Catering and Restaurant Management Teams is essential, as is participation in menu development for restaurants, banquets/catering, and commissary operations. The role is responsible for the daily operations of full-service restaurant, banquets/catering, and commissary kitchens, ensuring accuracy in product ordering, forecasting, and scheduling. Additionally, the Sous Chef will develop best practice facility standards, provide guidance and performance expectations to meet DEH standards, ensure proper equipment is in place and functional, and be responsible for accurate recipe implementation and oversight of inventory activities. They will monitor inventory levels and ensure the highest food safety standards, including correct food temperatures, safety training, inspections, and documentation compliance. The Sous Chef will partner with the Chef/Executive Chef to forecast labor usage and food/supply costs, and ensure safe working conditions and practices, including high levels of food safety and sanitation. Researching new products with sustainability and conservation in mind to support the organization's mission is also a key responsibility.
Requirements
- 1-2 years of prior culinary management experience.
- Certification from accredited culinary program or equivalent specialized training required.
- Knowledge of various styles of cuisine preparation and presentation.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively lead a team.
- Comfortable with computers and working with Microsoft Office products and ordering systems.
- Must be able to understand how to write and to read recipes and custom menus.
- Able to communicate effectively (verbal and written).
- Strong working knowledge of food safety rules and regulations.
- Knowledge of banquets/catering operations and the overall food profession.
- Knowledge of policies and procedures based on the food guidelines and industry best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks in a high volume environment with competing deadlines.
Responsibilities
- Oversight of kitchen staff including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, training and development, mentoring and performance management.
- Prepares and executes special events, banquets and themed menus.
- Participates in the execution of administrative functions including scheduling and payroll.
- Partners with Front of the House/Catering and Restaurant Management Teams.
- Participates in menu development for restaurants and banquets/catering and commissary operations.
- Responsible for daily operations of full service restaurant, banquets/catering and commissary kitchen including accuracy in product ordering, forecasting and scheduling.
- Develops best practice facility standards and provides guidance and performance expectations to meet DEH standards.
- Ensures proper equipment is in place and functional.
- Responsible for accurate recipe implementation and oversight of inventory activities.
- Monitors inventory levels.
- Ensures highest food safety standards including correct food temperatures, conducting safety training, inspections and maintaining documentation to comply with federal, state and local food safety standards.
- Partners with Chef/Executive Chef to forecast labor usage for kitchen operations and food/supply costs.
- Ensures safe working conditions and practices, including high levels of food safety and sanitation.
- Research new products with sustainability and conservation to implement in support of the organization's mission.
Benefits
- Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Family Passes
- Complimentary Tickets
- Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Local and In-House Discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
